Rails increase orders for new freight cars

Railroads are ordering considerably more freight cars than in previous months, according to the Railway Supply Institute – another indication of the strength of rail carloadings and the rails’ economic optimism going forward.

The number of new freight cars on order for delivery has climbed to more than 19,000 – an 85 percent increase in orders for new freight cars since Dec. 31, 2009, according to Railway Supply Institute data.

During the third quarter 2010, according to the Railway Supply Institute, railroads ordered more than 9,000 new freight cars — almost the total ordered during the first six months of 2010.